Ellina Mhlanga in Pretoria, South Africa
SOUTH AFRICA’s Bennet Seloyi and Namibia’s Lavinia Haitope were yesterday crowned champions for the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Marathon at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa.
While Zimbabwe did not officially send a team for the marathon, some individuals such as Patience Garauzive were part of the field yesterday.
Garauzive placed 9th in the women’s 10km in 37 minutes 55 seconds. She was competing under Nedbank Running Club Zimbabwe.
Instead, it was SA and Namibia getting the limelight.
Seloyi was the first to cross the finish line in the men’s 21.1km race in 1 hour 4 minutes 39 seconds.
Coming from another marathon recently, and having struggled a bit this season Seloyi was happy to win gold for his country.
He admitted it was not an easy race.
“For me it was hot conditions because I was running marathon last week. So, here I just came to pick up the speed because I knew I have the power for marathon. So, it was a little bit tough.”
On second place was Stephen Kangethe from Kenya, competing as an individual, with a time of 1 hour 4 minutes 59 seconds.
Simon Matias from Namibia crossed the line in 1 hour 5 minutes 25 seconds to complete the top three.
In the women’s category, Haitope gave a good account of herself to claim the top spot in 1 hour 14 minutes 41 seconds, improving her performance from last year when she finished third in 1 hour 15 minutes 31 seconds.
The Namibian runner was pleased with the outcome.
“I am happy with my performance but the course, it was not easy because there is too much hills, and it was hot.
“I only came here to see how fast I can go. The competition was not easy, it was tough. I was just doing my best.
“I decided to make a move from 18km because I know the course, it is not an easy course, it’s a tough course,” said Haitope.
Last year’s winner Irvette van Zyl from South Africa came second with a time of 1 hour 15 minutes 16 seconds. She was followed by fellow South African Karabo Mailula on third position in 1 hour 15 minutes 46 seconds.
Both Seloyi and Haitope got R50 000 for their efforts.
South Africa dominated the 10km, claiming both the men and women’s titles.
Chris Mhlanga won the men’s race in 29 minutes 48 seconds and Glenrose Xaba took the women’s title in 33 minutes 48 seconds.
It was the same story in the 5km with Modupi Tladi crossing the finishing line in 13 minutes 53 seconds to win the men’s race. The women’s category was won by Carina Swiegers in 17 minutes 19 seconds.
